Sunday, Feb. 17, is the second Sunday of Lent (year A, cycle II).

Parish

WYD2008.org is the website for World youth Day 2008, July 15-20, which is five months away now. If you plan to go, you need to get your passport and probably start raising money.

Epriest.com passes on “Best Practices” from parishes. One is a youth fundraiser from the Church of St. Michael in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Parishioners launch youth missionaries by “Buying Stock in Youth.”

It’s “one of the easiest fundraisers I do, and it has the best results,” says the parish’s youth minister. “It also involves the whole parish and brings the parish behind our youth ministry.”

During one weekend, before and after all the Masses, young people hold signs in the parking lot and the vestibule, where they set up a table for selling “stock.”

In 2006, each of 24 members raised $142 to put towards summer mission trips and conferences. Over the next few weeks, individuals sold more stock to family and friends. Some raised more, up to $1,500.

Family

It’s now the second Sunday of Lent, and we wanted to return briefly to our Lenten “family plan.” First, we recommended a possible family schedule. Next, we recommended a charity plan through the “five love languages.” Find these online at ncregister.com. But now, we wanted to offer some “Family Rules.” Consider adopting them during Lent — and beyond.

Readings

Genesis 12:1-4, Psalms 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; 2 Timothy 1:8-10, Matthew 17:1-9

Epriest.com offers free homily packs for priests.

Our Take

On the first Sunday of Lent, the readings took us to one of the initiating events of Christ’s public ministry, as he was tempted by the devil.

On the second Sunday of Lent, we are taken to one of the initiating events of Christ’s passion, when he is transfigured on Mount Tabor.

There are a few parallels between the two.

• After Christ’s baptism, the Father’s voice declared, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” It was as if this affirmation from the Father gave Christ the strength to fast and withstand temptation. Now, after being transfigured, the Father’s voice makes the same declaration. This affirmation will give Christ the strength to withstand his passion and death.

• At the beginning of his public ministry, when he was tempted, Christ reaffirmed his radical dependence on the Father and his utter rejection of the devil. Now we glimpse the end of his public ministry and see where that humility and obedience leads: to his glorification.

Both these events are meant to be examples for Christians, too.

• In baptism, we reject the devil and commit ourselves to Christ and the Father. Our Lenten fast helps us to exercise that freedom by choosing a more difficult road for a time.

• Christ’s transfiguration is meant to encourage us for the difficult things ahead. Usually, Christ appears in an “ordinary” way to show that God really did become one of us. Here, we are reminded that he was never just “one of us.” When his glory shone through, he is extraordinary.

The Hoopes are

editorial directors of Faith & Family magazine (faithandfamilymag.com).

Communication Rules

Your family member is not your enemy. Disagreements are opportunities to love and to grow.

Speaking Rules

1. Stick to the facts — don’t interpret them.

2. No blanket statements — never say “you always” or “you never.”

3. State feelings — do not act them out.

4. Seek resolution — not victory.

Listening Rules

1. Don’t interrupt; let the other finish.

2. Be attentive; try to understand the other instead of trying to “catch” them.

Repeat back what the other said — accurately and fairly.